Spotted eagle ray
Aetobatus narinari
Where to see it
Gliding along the walls and over the sand off the north and west coasts. Among the likeliest large sightings on any dive, and snorkelers see them off West Bay too.
When
All year
Status
Endangered
The big animal you can almost plan on. Spotted eagle rays glide along Roatan's walls and over the sand flats in ones, twos and occasionally small squadrons, white spots on a dark back, a long whip of a tail behind, and a flight that looks effortless. Dive shops rank them among the likeliest large sightings here, and snorkelers see them from the surface off West Bay.
They feed on clams, conch and crabs dug out of the sand, which is why you often see them cruising low over bare bottom between the reef heads. Globally the species is listed as Endangered, mostly from fishing elsewhere in its range. On Roatan the rule is the same as for everything on the reef: watch, do not chase, and let it decide how close it comes.